Mobile chamber apparatuses and related methods

Abstract

A mobile chamber apparatus includes a support structure of inflatable support members, and a chamber assembly. The inflatable support members may include transverse and upright sections. The chamber assembly may include a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more side walls. Connectors may detachably couple the support structure and the chamber assembly. Installed, the support structure supports the chamber assembly to enclose an interior space. Inlets may deliver a supply airflow to the interior space, and outlets may deliver a return airflow from the interior space. An environmental control unit may deliver the supply airflow and receive the return airflow. At least one mechanism may be provided for introducing an allergen into the interior space. Human patients may be exposed to the allergen in the interior space, and therefore the mobile chamber apparatus may be used for clinical trials to study allergy response.

We claim: 
     
       1. A mobile chamber apparatus, comprising:
 a support structure comprising a plurality of inflatable support members, each of the plurality of inflatable support members including at least one transverse section and at least one upright section; 
 a chamber assembly comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall coupled between the top and bottom walls; and 
 a plurality of connectors for detachably coupling the support structure to the chamber assembly, the plurality of connectors including a plurality of first connectors that couple the at least one transverse section to the top wall and a plurality of second connectors that detachably couple the at least one upright section to the at least one side wall, 
 wherein, in an installed state, the support structure is coupled to the chamber assembly and supports the chamber assembly so that the top wall, the bottom wall and the at least one side wall enclose an interior space, 
 wherein the plurality of first connectors comprise a plurality of cable elements spaced apart generally along a length of the at least one transverse section, each of the plurality of cable elements fixed to and extending between an exterior surface of the at least one transverse section and an exterior side of the top wall so that the top wall is at least partially suspended from the at least one transverse section, and 
 wherein each of the plurality of second connectors comprises:
 at least one sleeve mounted to one of the at least one upright section and an exterior side of the at least one side wall; 
 at least one base mounted to the other of the at least one upright section and the exterior side of the at least one side wall; and 
 at least one elongate rod member that couples the at least one base and the at least one sleeve. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one base and the at least one sleeve each slidingly receive the at least one rod member. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sleeve is mounted generally along a height of the at least one side wall, and the at least one rod member extends generally along the height of the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of second connectors comprises a further plurality of bases spaced apart generally along a height of the at least one upright section, and the at least one sleeve comprises a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings positioned correspondingly to a respective one of the plurality of bases, the openings facilitating connection between the at least one rod member and the further plurality of bases. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spacer elements coupled between the plurality of inflatable support members. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of spacer elements extends between and is fixed to an adjacent pair of the plurality of inflatable support members. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of spacer elements comprises first and second ends that are each detachably connected to a respective at least one upright section of the adjacent pair. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of each of the plurality of spacer elements are coupled to the at least one side wall. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of connectors further comprise third connectors that detachably couple the portion of each of the plurality of spacer elements to the at least one side wall. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the third connectors comprise releasable loops that are fixed to the at least one side wall and receive the portion of each of the plurality of spacer elements. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one upright section of each of the plurality of inflatable support members comprises first and second elongate upright sections, and the at least one transverse section extends between upper ends of the first and second upright sections. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one transverse section comprises first and second elongate transverse sections, an outer end of each of the first and second elongate transverse sections coupled to the upper end of a respective upright section. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein inner ends of the each transverse sections are coupled together, and each of the transverse sections are inclined upwardly between the outer and inner ends. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein, for each of the plurality of inflatable support members, the upright and transverse sections are linked in fluid communication so that inflation of the support structure causes inflation of each section. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the support structure further comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections that extend between the first and second transverse sections. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of inflatable support members is further linked in fluid communication by the plurality of longitudinal sections so that inflation of one of the plurality of inflatable support members causes inflation of each of the plurality of inflatable support members. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an environmental control unit coupled to the apparatus for delivering a supply airflow to the interior space. 
     
     
       18. A kit of parts, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable support members, each of the plurality of inflatable support members comprising at least one transverse section and at least one upright section; 
 a top wall; 
 at least one side wall; 
 a plurality of first connectors for coupling the at least one transverse sections to the top wall; and 
 a plurality of second connectors for coupling the at least one upright sections to the at least one side wall, wherein each of the plurality of second connectors comprises:
 at least one sleeve mounted to one of the at least one upright section and an exterior side of the at least one side wall; 
 at least one base mounted to the other of the at least one upright section and the exterior side of the at least one side wall; and 
 at least one elongate rod member that couples the at least one base and the at least one sleeve, 
 
 wherein, in an installed state, the at least one upright transverse sections support the top wall and the upright sections support the at least one side wall so that the top wall and the at least one side wall enclose an interior space.